Bergen County Courthouse evacuated after water leak sparks light fixture

HACKENSACK — The Bergen County Justice Center was evacuated Thursday morning when a water leak caused a light fixture to start smoking.

The leak started just before 10 a.m. on the third floor, David Martinez, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said.

The water leaked down into the Prosecutor's Office on the second floor and caused a light fixture to start smoking, Martinez said. The smoke triggered the fire alarm.

The Hackensack Fire Department responded to the alarm, Martinez said. While there was no fire, everyone in the building—close to 1,000 people including Sheriff's officers, the Prosecutor's office, court employees and visitors—had to be evacuated.